CN117837133A - Operator terminal and monitor for automation - Google Patents
Operator terminal and monitor for automation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN117837133A CN117837133A CN202280057130.1A CN202280057130A CN117837133A CN 117837133 A CN117837133 A CN 117837133A CN 202280057130 A CN202280057130 A CN 202280057130A CN 117837133 A CN117837133 A CN 117837133A
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- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- isolator
- display
- user
- instrument
- control device
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 230000006854 communication Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000007175 bidirectional communication Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003920 environmental process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/01—Protocols
- H04L67/02—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
- H04L67/025—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP] for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
- Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
An automation system comprising an isolator (1) with a control device (4), a laboratory instrument (10) with a display (9), and a data input device located inside an isolation chamber (3) of the isolator (1); and a method for remote control of an isolator (1) via a laboratory instrument (10) using an adapted communication protocol.
Description
The invention described herein discloses a method and system for automated control of laboratory equipment via an adapted data protocol.
Technical Field
The invention relates to the technical field of embedded electronic laboratory equipment.
Background
Most instruments currently used in chemical laboratories have a display as a user interface or a keyboard as a human-machine interface in order to allow interaction between a human user and the instrument itself and/or another laboratory machine connected to the instrument. These include most well known biomonitoring products.
In the context of the pharmaceutical industry and the food and beverage industry, these instruments are typically used in automated processes and are typically the only accepted user interface and are tolerant of their limited environments (e.g., isolators or laminar flow hoods).
Thus, solution providers typically use dedicated interfaces (such as a rugged keyboard, touch screen, or voice control) as operator interfaces to obtain confirmation of the operation of those instruments while operating them in an isolator or clean room. These isolators or clean rooms typically have their own control equipment, such as a PLC (programmable logic controller) or the like, to set the environmental parameters controlled by the respective isolator.
One disadvantage of operating those instruments in an isolator or clean room is that it is difficult for a user to interact with the control system or interface of the isolator while working with the instruments in the isolator. Typically, the user must stop his current operation, go to the control interface of the isolator, set a new parameter value, return to the instrument in the isolator and continue its operation. This process is not only inconvenient and time consuming, but there are also use cases in which the interrupt operation is not allowed.
Known solutions to this problem mainly comprise a control interface with voice control-or simply a second user performing a control parameter change. But since the second user is not always available and many isolators or clean rooms do not provide or support voice control interfaces at all (nor are these voice control interfaces always reliable), there is a need to find another solution to this problem.
Disclosure of Invention
It is therefore the task of the present patent application to find an efficient way to remotely control the environmental settings of a clean room, isolator or the like, while still working internally.
This object has been achieved by a method for remotely controlling an automated isolator, wherein a control device of the isolator and a laboratory instrument located inside the isolator are connected using an adapted communication protocol, and a user remotely controls the isolator via a display and a data input device of the laboratory instrument. The use of an already existing interface of the instrument in the form of a display and a data input device allows a user working with the instrument in the isolator to remotely control it via the interface without leaving his workplace. For this purpose, it is necessary to adapt the communication protocol so that it is able to read out the commands entered by the user via the interface from the instrument and convert them into commands understood by the controls of the isolator. Preferably, the communication protocol enables two-way communication; for example, status information about the status of the isolator setting parameters is shown to the user. But at least the commands from the instrument interface to the isolator controls must be possible.
Advantageous and therefore preferred further developments of the invention emerge from the associated dependent claims as well as the description and the associated figures.
One of those preferred further developments of the disclosed method comprises: a message is sent from the control device of the isolator to the display of the laboratory instrument via the adapted communication protocol to display the message to the user with parameters defining the information type of the remote control action, and a user response is sent to and verified by the control device of the isolator. In this case, bidirectional communication is required. The user is shown a specific type of possible control action (e.g. setting of a temperature value), then the user can enter the value and/or confirm the suggested action or reject it, and then the response will be sent back to the control device of the barrier control via the adapted communication protocol.
Another of those preferred further developments of the disclosed method includes that the user response may be a value that is unresponsive or confirmed, selected choice or entered into the data input device. The non-response will be considered as negative. The selections are not limited to those options, but only show the most common options.
Another of those preferred further developments of the disclosed method comprises displaying parameters defining the information type using an externally generated bar code or data matrix code which is then scanned and associated with a further device in the isolator. The bar code or data matrix code is generated externally and then transmitted via a communication protocol. The user then scans them using a rugged reader or even automatically scans them by a suitable device and associates them with a certain asset in the isolator. The problem of introducing paper into the separator can be avoided.
Another of those preferred further developments of the disclosed method includes the use of a knob and/or a keyboard as the data input device, and the display and data input device are both rugged to withstand the environmental conditions inside the isolator.
Another of those preferred further developments of the disclosed method includes using TCP-Modbus as the adapted communication protocol. TCP-Modbus can be easily adapted to a suitable communication protocol as it provides all necessary technical requirements.
Another solution to this task is an automation system comprising a laboratory instrument with a display and a data input device inside the isolator, which is configured to remotely control the isolator via the laboratory instrument according to the method steps of the preceding claim.
Drawings
The method according to the invention and the associated automation system and its functionally advantageous developments are described in more detail below using at least one preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the associated figures. In the drawings, elements corresponding to each other are provided with the same reference numerals.
The drawings show:
fig. 1: isolator used
Fig. 2: examples of GUI data on instrument display used
Fig. 3: sequence of data exchange processes between a user and an automation system
Fig. 4: workflow as an example of a TCP Modbus variable for a protocol for performing data exchanges
Fig. 1 shows an example of an isolator 1, which isolator 1 can be used in the method of the invention and is part of an associated automation system in a preferred embodiment. The isolator 1 comprises an isolation chamber 3 in which a specific environment with respect to atmosphere, temperature, radiation etc. can be established, technical means providing such an environment, and a control device 4, which control device 4 regulates the technical means and provides a user interface. The control device 4 comprises a suitable computer such as, but not limited to, a PLC or an embedded controller with memory, preferably a display and corresponding internal and external data interfaces (e.g. data bus, USB, etc.). Furthermore, the isolator 1 comprises an access tool 6 with which the user 2 can work with the product and laboratory instruments (preferably mounted gloves 6 or robotic arms) in the isolator room 3 at his workplace 5. Which environmental setting the isolator 1 can provide depends on the particular type of isolator 1 used, but for the preferred embodiment, at least the temperature and the atmospheric composition are variable.
The present invention in its preferred embodiment relies on the communication link provided on the instrument 10 and the ability to forward messages 8 to the user 2 from external devices (e.g. the control device 4 of the isolator) using its display 9. The message 8 requests a response from the user 2 using an instrument data input device, such as a keyboard. This means that the instrument 10 and its peripheral devices, such as the data input device and its display 9, are used as an environmentally compatible user interface for non-compatible environmental processes.
Since the instrument 10 is adapted to the rugged environment provided by the isolator 1 in its chamber 3, in which chamber 3 the user 2 can only operate with the glove 6 or robotic arm, this solves the problem that would otherwise require additional rugged user interface equipment. It thus enables such an automated system to be of significantly reduced cost and also to occupy too little working space in the isolation chamber 3.
To use the communication links provided on the instrument 10 as described, the communication between the automation systems uses standard protocols. In this example, which illustrates the preferred embodiment, TCP Modbus is used.
The communication is completed in two steps:
1. after the user 2 initiates an action at the control device 4 of the isolator, he goes to his workplace 5. A message 8 is then sent from the control device 4 of the isolator to the display 9 of the laboratory instrument so that the user 2 of the isolator 1 can see and understand it. The message 8 contains parameters defining the type of information to be displayed, which means the type of remote control actions that the user 2 can perform. In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible that the user 2 initiates the required actions directly at the laboratory instrument 10 when already in the isolator 1 or working inside the isolator 1. In this case the remote user interface needs to adapt within the possibilities of the display 9 to initiate those commands.
2. In the second step, the result is processed. The following results are possible: no response, confirmation, choice of choice or entry of value. The corresponding result is then transmitted via TCP Modbus to the control device 4, which control device 4 performs the assigned action in the isolator 1.
Another further embodiment of the disclosed invention is that the message 8 to the display of the laboratory instrument may contain a bar code or data matrix code 7 generated by an external program. The code 7 can transmit much more information than a standard text message. It is preferably used in association with a certain asset in the isolator 1. However, for this purpose it requires scanning with a robust code reader adapted to the environmental conditions. Displaying the code on the display 7 has clear advantages (when it comes in) because it can be problematic to introduce paper with printed codes into the separator 1.
Fig. 2 shows an example of a preferred embodiment using such a bar code 7. The user message 8 is transmitted to the display 9 of the instrument and is shown on the display 9 of the instrument. The user 2 selects an answer with the keyboard of the instrument, which answer is then sent to the control device 4, which control device 4 verifies it. Another possibility is to display a message 8 to the user 2, which user 2 uses the keyboard to enter a value, which value is then sent to the control device 4, where it is verified. Since the instrument 10 is designed to operate in a confined environment by using the glove 6, sterilizing gas, etc., the user 2 is able to read the message 8 under good conditions and is able to give a response using the adapting keypad of the instrument. Due to this, the display 9 and the keyboard of the instrument can be used to interact with the automation system if the instrument is not performing any operations.
Fig. 3 then shows an example sequence for a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating the exchange between the user 2 and the automation system when he first uses the existing user interface of the PLC control device 4 outside the isolation room 3, and after he has arrived at his workplace 5 at the isolation room 3, where he triggers the process via a remote user interface provided by means of the TCP Modbus on the PLC control device 4 and the laboratory instrument 10. In this example, the instrument 10 is a pump and the user 2 wants to set the speed of the pump to a value of 30. The pump will then use this arrangement to pump a controlled volume of liquid from the sample bottle to the test container for analysis.
The following table shows the TCP Modbus variables needed to effect the pumping speed change in this example.
Fig. 4 shows the corresponding workflow of the necessary variables and how they are used to provide the required function of varying the pumping speed.
List of reference numerals
1 isolator
2 users
3 isolation room
4 isolator control apparatus
5 customer workplace at isolator
6 mounted isolator glove
7 display apparatus with data matrix code
8 user message
9 instrument display
10 instrument
Claims (7)
1. A method for remotely controlling an automation isolator (1), wherein
-connecting a control device (4) of the isolator (1) and a laboratory instrument (10) located inside an isolation room (3) of the isolator (1) using an adapted communication protocol, and-remotely controlling the isolator (1) by a user (2) via a display (9) and a data input device of the laboratory instrument (10).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein
-sending a message (8) from the control device (4) of the isolator to a display (9) of the laboratory instrument via the adapted communication protocol to display the message (8) to the user (2), the message (8) having parameters defining the information type of the remote control action, and-a user response being sent to and verified by the control device (4) of the isolator.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein
The user response may be a non-response or a confirmation, a choice or a value entered into the data input device (4).
4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
An externally generated bar code or data matrix code (7) is used to display parameters defining the type of information, which bar code or data matrix code (7) is then scanned and associated with a further device in the isolator (1).
5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein
The knob and/or the keyboard are used as data input devices and both the display (9) and the data input devices are robust to withstand the environmental conditions inside the isolator (1).
6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein
TCP-Modbus is used as the adapted communication protocol.
7. An automation system comprising an isolator (1) with a control device (4), a laboratory instrument (10) with a display (9), and a data input device located inside an isolation chamber (3) of the isolator (1), the automation system being configured to remotely control the isolator (1) via the laboratory instrument (10) using an adapted communication protocol according to the method steps of the preceding claims.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP21306146 | 2021-08-25 | ||
| EP21306146.8 | 2021-08-25 | ||
| PCT/EP2022/073276 WO2023025703A1 (en) | 2021-08-25 | 2022-08-22 | Operator terminal and monitor for automation |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN117837133A true CN117837133A (en) | 2024-04-05 |
Family
ID=77726426
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202280057130.1A Pending CN117837133A (en) | 2021-08-25 | 2022-08-22 | Operator terminal and monitor for automation |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4393139A1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN117837133A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2023025703A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN207865584U (en) * | 2017-12-29 | 2018-09-14 | 上海睿泰生物科技股份有限公司 | A kind of intelligent moveable small cleaning room |
-
2022
- 2022-08-22 EP EP22768379.4A patent/EP4393139A1/en active Pending
- 2022-08-22 WO PCT/EP2022/073276 patent/WO2023025703A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-08-22 CN CN202280057130.1A patent/CN117837133A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2023025703A1 (en) | 2023-03-02 |
| EP4393139A1 (en) | 2024-07-03 |
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